Coach Cross extends contract with Dragons NRLW team

ST GEORGE Illawarra Dragons have extended the contract of premiership-winning Byron Bay coach Nathan Cross to lead its NRL women’s side for another two seasons.

Cross inked a new deal at the Dragons after coaching the women’s team for the first time in 2025.

He was the last coach to lead the Byron Bay Red Devils first grade men’s team to a premiership in 2008 and has almost two decades of experience at senior level.

“It’s an enormous honour to coach this club and I’m so pleased to be extending,” Cross said.

“There’s a lot to be excited about over the coming years.

“We have such a proud rugby league area at our disposal and a successful pathways system.

“We had a host of girls progress up to NRLW level this past season and show plenty of promise.

“I’m looking forward to the squad’s continued development and building this club back into an NRLW heavyweight.”

Cross grew up on the Northern Rivers and finished high school at Trinity Catholic College, Lismore in 1997.

The 46-year-old has worked in pathways roles at junior and senior level and had a second stint as coach at Byron Bay in 2018.

Since then, he has gone on to be an assistant coach of the Queensland women’s State of Origin team in 2023 and 2024.

Series wins put him on the radar for the Dragons job, who were keen to lock him down for a further two years once the season finished.

“We felt it was important for the stability and direction of the club’s women’s program that Nathan’s contract was extended,” CEO Tim Watsford said.

“He’s had a big impact on the club since arriving at the end of last year and has helped ensure that all involved our women’s program are aligned and growing together.

“His vision is critical to the path we are on as a club, and we have full confidence in his ability to lead this club into the future.”